Sparassidae Gnathopalystes

Gnathopalystes sp. "Chequered Flag"

Chequered Flag Huntsman

This Gnathopalystes species appears similar to certain Heteropoda. However, its sex organs and eye arrangement are clearly distinct from those of Heteropoda.

The male is light greyish in general colouration, and appears different from the more robust female, which may be brown or dark greyish brown. The dorsum and legs are covered densely by long and stiff brown hairs. The venter is decorated by an indistinct pattern of triangles. The chelicerae are black. An unmistakable feature of the female is found on the ventral side of the female anterior femora and tibiae: they are marked like a chequered flag.